RELEASE: Abrams for Governor Campaign Statement on 53,000 Voter Registration Applications on Hold with Secretary of State’s OfficeBrian Kemp using power of office to silence the voices of thousands of eligible votersATLANTA -- Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that more than 53,000 voter registration applications are on hold with the Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s office. The report states that the Secretary of State’s office uses the “exact match” registration verification process that disproportionately impacts voters of color. Nearly 70 percent of the voter registrations on hold are from Black Georgians.Today, Abrams for Governor Director of Strategic Communication Abigail Collazo released the following statement in response to the AP’s report:“As he has done for years, Brian Kemp is maliciously wielding the power of his office to suppress the vote for political gain and silence the voices of thousands of eligible voters - the majority of them people of color.This isn’t incompetence; it’s malpractice. It is no surprise that Kemp is reprising these tactics now when multiple recent polls show his race against Stacey Abrams to be a dead heat, as her message of jobs, health care, and public education is resonating with voters. The Secretary of State’s office must do away with the discriminatory “exact match” program and process all voter registrations immediately. In addition, Brian Kemp needs to resign his position, so that Georgia voters can have confidence that their Secretary of State competently and impartially oversee this election.”###

NEW TV AD: BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT ABRAMS WORKS TO HELP ALL OF GEORGIAAbrams the Only Candidate with Proven Record of Working Across the Aisle to Help Georgia FamiliesATLANTA - Today, Democratic nominee for governor and former House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams released a new ad, “Both Sides Agree,” highlighting Abrams’ pragmatic, bipartisan record. As Minority Leader, Abrams routinely worked across the aisle to find balanced solutions on critical issues such as transportation, criminal justice reform and taxes. Abrams worked with Governor Nathan Deal to pass a $1 billion transportation deal and comprehensive criminal justice reform in Georgia. In addition, Abrams single-handedly stopped the largest tax increase in Georgia’s history. Even Abrams’ Republican colleagues in the Georgia House say that she has a “balanced view on the issues,” and an “ability to reach across the aisle.”While big money out-of-state groups spend millions to attack Abrams, Georgia Republicans and Democrats both agree that she has spent her entire career working for the best interests of all Georgians.AD SCRIPT:Republican groups from outside Georgia spend millions attacking Stacey Abrams. But Republicans in Georgia say “that doesn’t match her record.” Georgia Republicans call Stacey Abrams a pragmatic leader who engages with the GOP to find solutions. Her balanced view allowed her to reach across the aisle to help Governor Nathan Deal…Pass a billion-dollar transportation bill and comprehensive criminal justice reform. And she stopped the largest tax increase in Georgia history. Both sides agree, Stacey Abrams works to help all of Georgia.View the ad here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEiMow5EndM&feature=youtu.beBackground:ClaimBackupVO:Republican groups from outside Georgia spend millions attacking Stacey AbramsGFX: Republicans OUTSIDE Georgia Attacking Stacey Abrams“Georgia being flooded by outside political money this election season,” James Salzer, The AJC, 9/11/18Meanwhile, the Washington D.C.-based Republican Governor’s Association reported spending about $2 million on ads slamming Abrams over her handling of her finances and her support for gun control measures.VO: But Republicans in Georgia say that doesn’t match her recordGFX: Republicans INSIDE Georgia “That doesn’t match her record” AP 8.20.18Stacey Abrams’ record complicates ‘radical’ label from GOP, Bill Barrow, AP, 8/20/18Brian Robinson, a former top aide to Deal, simultaneously skewers and compliments Abrams. She “has run a campaign as if she’s Bernie Sanders,” he said, referring to the democratic socialist senator and failed presidential candidate. But, Robinson added, “That doesn’t match her record in the General Assembly.VO: Georgia Republicans call Stacey Abrams a pragmatic leader who engages with the GOP to find solutionsGFX: Stacey Abrams“Pragmatic” “Engage with the GOP” “To find solutions” Allen Peake (R) Georgia House of Representatives AP 8.20.18Stacey Abrams’ record complicates ‘radical’ label from GOP, Bill Barrow, The AP, 8/20/18“She’s a brilliant woman ... one of the smartest people I’ve ever met,” said state Rep. Allen Peake, who backs Kemp but counts Abrams as a friend from their days in the same legislative freshman class.Peake said he’s wary about Abrams’ policy agenda, but characterized her as “pragmatic” and avoided broadsides about socialism.“She did always try to find solutions,” he said, noting the state budget passed nearly unanimously during Abrams’ tenure because she corralled her caucus to engage with the GOP majority.her balanced view allowed her to reach across the aisle to help Governor Nathan DealGFX: Stacey Abrams “Balanced view” -Republican Speaker of the House David Ralston The NY Times 8.19.18 “Ability to reach across the aisle” -Republican Speaker of the House David Ralston The NYTimes 8.19.18

RELEASE: In First General Election Poll, Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp In A Dead Heat Candidates in Statistical Tie, Abrams' Momentum Continues to GrowATLANTA – A new poll released today by WSBTV/AJC shows Democratic nominee for Governor and former House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams in a statistical tie with her opponent, with Abrams garnering 44.9% of support and Kemp with 45.3% of support.

Over 7% of voters remain undecided, and the margin of error is 3.1%.

“Today's poll highlights what we have known for months: Stacey Abrams’ plans to build a thriving economy, improve public education, and expand access to health care are resonating broadly,” said campaign manager Lauren Groh-Wargo. “Abrams has a proven track record of building consensus in Georgia, and by continuing to engage with every community about the issues that impact Georgians' lives, the Abrams campaign will turn out an historic number of voters and win in November.”Key Points:

Respondents identified the economy, health care access, and the quality of public schools as the most important factors in their decision when voting for governor of Georgia: the three central tenets of the Abrams Campaign.

Abrams leads with independent voters 45.6%-30.7%

The polling sample is only 28.7% African American, but in the primary, African American voters made up 29.36% of the electorate. Additionally, that share traditionally grows from the primary to the General Election.

We are building a broad coalition of support from Fitzgerald to Fulton County. The Abrams Campaign and the Democratic Party of Georgia have over a dozen offices where staff and volunteers are reaching out to Georgia voters daily to mobilize them in support of Democrats across the state. With that intentional investment in sharing Abrams' and Democrats' vision for the economy, health care access, and public education, and commitment to reaching out to and mobilizing new voters, Democratic momentum will only continue to grow.